Hollow wrought metal body and method of making same



Dec. 31, 1935. comm JR 2,025,973

HOLLOW WROUGHT METAL BODY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 6, 1934" a Sheets-Sheet 1 @mz. I. I

==J4f/////// ///7/////////////A7 I 12 "/:%ENTOR ATTORNEY E. s. CORNELL, JR 2,025,973

HOLLOW WROUGHT METAL BODY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Fi-led June 6, 1934 5 51169135 61196- 2 150 y zsb i152 g Y %ENTO'R7 E. S. CORNELL, JR

HOLLOW WROUGHT METAL BODY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 6. 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR I %4' ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 31, 1935 HOLLOW WROUGHT BODY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAIWE Edward s. Cornell, Jr.; Larchmont, N. Y., assignor to American Radiator Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 6, 1934, Serial No. 729,209

31 Claims.

This application is in part in continuation of and as a consolidation of my copending allowed application Serial No. 661,489, filed March 18,

- 1933, entitled Methods of producing metal bodies.

My invention relates to the art of producing hollow metal bodies having one or more angularly related branches, such as valve bodies, pipe joints, unions, fittings, and other elements or parts used in connection with piping, or for other purposes, and the same has for its object generally to produce or provide a simple, reliable, and emcient article capable of resisting uniformly the stresses of deformation and rupture to which the article is subjected ordinarily.

Further, said invention has for its object toprovide an article of the character specified which involves a new mode of construction rendering the article very efficient and reliable in use.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specified formed as an integral structure of copper and possessing inherent distinctive properties resulting from the particular mode or method of manufacturing the article which renders the same highly eflicient, reliable, and durable in use.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specifiedwhich consists of copper work-hardened throughout to form an article of uniform strength and comparative lightness.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specified in which the thickness of the metal line and the external diameter thereof are coordinated to satisfy the requirements of'use and of economy in weight.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specified which is entirely and integrally formed by the cold, plastic deformation of a mass of copper,

' and which is capable of being produced in quantity at low cost and of satisfying therequire ments of utility.

Further, said invention has for. its object to provide an article of the character specified which is composed of work-hardened copper capable of being welded, brazed or soldered to.

other parts without appreciable reduction in work-hardened properties resulting from such treatment.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specified which is superior to articles made of other materials, or by other methods, in cost of manufacture and utility, and in theefliciency of its functioning.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specified in which the angularly related portion thereof, irrespective of the metal line thickness and-diameter thereof, is formed by'displacement of metal laterally from the body of the article by cold plastic deformation, producing a metal structure worked substantially to the same extent as that of said body portion. v

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an article of the character specified in which the metal structure, wall thickness and diameter are coordinated to be resistant uniformly throughout to bursting pressures greatly in excess of the normal requirements and in excess of those of the devices now in use.

An object of my invention is to provide a lateral branch tubular fitting of cold wrought metal, preferably predominantly of copper content, the wall of such lateral preferably having a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer periphery of thelateral, such zone having a wall .thickness equal to the wall thickness of the body, whereby the metal structure, wall thickness and diameter of such lateral are coordinated to be resistant to bursting pressures and other stresses to whichthe fitting may be subjected in use.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a hollow metal body of the character specified in which the metal exhibits a fine grain structure having an orientation, along lines substantially parallel with the length' of each part or branch of the body, and 'with the line of direction of working.

ifnother object of the invention is'to prov'ide 40 a novel method for producing said article.

Other objects will in part be obvious, and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To'the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends the invention consists in the novel steps constituting the method of production, and in the product resulting therefrom, hereinafter described and then; pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is an end elevation showing a die carrying out my invention, for example, in pro ducing a. pipe joint or T;

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an inside face view of one half or part of a pair of dies, the same showing a tubular blank in place therein, and the punches in position ready for the initial operation;

' Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the member or run of the T, and the laterally displaced metal mass further developed in the form.

of a lateral branch;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the next stage in operation in which the wall of, the lateral branch is given its final length and thickness;

-'Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the T, as thus far formed, inserted in a jig, and subjected to the action of a drill to remove the transverse partitionor web remaining in the longitudinal member or run of the T;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the T subjected to the action .of a combined reamer and drill to remove the partition or web remaining at the base of the branch, member;

Fig. 9 is a detail side view, partly in section, showing a portion of a T with the combined drill and reamer therein;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the finished T, and

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of, a finished T together with photo-microg'raphs showing the successive changes in the grain formation and direction developed in the several parts of the T in the course of the production thereof; the several micrographs being enlargements of the corresponding areas indicated on' said T.

In my method the coupling or fitting is fabricated by cold, plastic deformation or plastic flow in suitable dies by the application of an impact pressure of the order of 100,000 to 500,000 pounds per square inch according to thesize of the couplings or fitting to be made. The resulting product is an integrally formed structure without seam, weld, joint or the like, and of uniform strength and character throughout, and possessing the characteristics of a work-hardened metal structure approaching the maximum and substantially to the same degree in all portions thereof, as will be apparent from an examination thereof in accordance with the principles of metallography, and particularly from a micro scopic study of the grain structure thereof, and by subjecting the same to the usual tests for tensile strength and hardness. The product, therefore, because of the novel method of production, represents a distinct advance over similar articles fabricated by the usual cold or hot working or forging processes, by casting, or by methods in which the articles are constructed of separate parts requiring the use of welding, brazing, soldering or interlocking at the joints or abutting edges to complete the, same.

The particular embodiment of the invention scopic examination of the structure in accord-- ance with the practice in metallography.

'The article embodying my invention preferably has a metal line or wall thickness approaching the minimum for economy While satisfying the requirements of use in resisting the stresses of deformation and rupture. In practice highly eflicient fittings or couplings have been fabricated in accordance with my invention having metal lines, for example, of .049", .065", .072" and .083 in thickness, according to the diameter of the branch or branches of the articles which are usually supplied in sizes from to 2" in diameter.

In my invention the wall thickness is preferably coordinated with the diameter to resist def-.

ormation in handling; to resist rupture under the pressures to which the article is subjected in use, and to provide sufficient mass of copper to allow brazing, welding or soldering of the device to other parts without undue impairment of the strength of the article because of annealing by the action of the.heat. In practice I have found that an article satisfying the ordinary requirements as above described has a capacity for resisting bursting pressures of an order in excess of 2,500 pounds per square inch, and in some instances a pressure as high as 8,000 or 9,000 pounds per square inch.

Another characteristic of the product of the present invention resides in the fact that the angularly related branch or branches are formed by the cold, plastic deformation of metal which is displacedlaterally from the metal mass .of

which the body portion is formed, and are, therefore, integral therewith; and that the so-formed angularlyrelated branches may have a wall thickness substantially as great as, or greater than that of the body portion of the' article, or such wally-thickness may be reduced relative to that of the body portion when the fitting or coupling is of thetype known as a reducing T, cross, or the like. In the product of my invention the angularly related branches may be of the same length or diameter as, or different from that of the branches of the longitudinal portion.

The product embodying my invention possesses characteristic properties inherent therein as a result of the method of fabrication which distinguish the present product from castings which have a coarse grain structure of a low degree of tensile strength and. hardness, and which are expensive to make and require machining; the

product of the present invention, except for the removing of the thin film or webs formed at the junctures of the branches as hereinafter described, being formed complete by the working operation. Further, it is impractical to fabricate couplings or fittings of the reduced metal lines hereindescribed of pure copper by casting methods because of the unsuitability of copper for this purpose.

The product embodying my invention also differs substantially from articles made of, copper by any of the well known hot processes which are adapted only for copper alioys having a copper content not exceeding about sixty-three .per cent (63%) copper, in that it is impractical to fabricate by such hot processes an article of pure copper, i. e. ninety-nine per cent (99%) pure, because working or forging in a hot condition results in the formation of cuprous oxide on the surface of the metal mass, which oxide being harder than the copper, tends to materiaily retard the flowing properties of the metal, and to detrimentally affect the dies used.

Couplings or fittings have also been made from copper sheets or blanks bent into form and having their abutting edges soldered, welded or otherwise secured together, or have been built up of a number of parts soldered, welded or otherwise secured together. Such structures are therefore not of uniform strength and symmetry throughout and tend to weaken or fail at the junctures thereof where the same are soldered, welded or otherwise secured together.

While I prefer pure copper as the metal for the fittings or coupling of my invention, articles composed of other metals and alloys having the properties required for enabling cold working thereof in accordance with my method may be employed for forming the product.

In describing the method of my said invention, I shall, for the purposes of illustration, describe the same in connection with the production of a joint or T for connecting the ends of pipes, or the connecting of fixtures or other parts to the ends of pipes.

In said drawings, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, l designates a die comprising two similarly shaped halves or parts I0 having their inner conforming sides provided with registering openings or recesses which, when said two parts Ill are brought together, will define the external con tour of the T or article to be produced. The die parts may be provided with apertures II, II adapted to receive the pins |2 of the opposing die part or half in order to hold the same duly positioned with respect to each other during the insertion and maintaining of the same in a press.

The recess contours of the two die halves or parts, which jointly define the shape of the T are alike, and a description of one of said halves will answer for both.

Each die half I0 is provided with a longitudinal, semi-circular recess I3 which extends entirely through the die from one end thereof .-to the other. The outer ends l3 and the inter mediate central part l3 of the recess are of uniform diameter, and between said ends l3 and the central part |3 the recess is slightly enlarged in diameter at -Li to form the hub or socket portion and the shoulders |3-the difference in said diameter corresponding to double the thickness of the wall of the hubs or sockets to be produced at the ends of the T.

Midway between the recess portion I3, I3 the die half III is provided with a laterally extending semi-circular recess I4 which extends from the recess |3, at right angles thereto, to the outer side of the die half. The main portion of said recess l4 beyond the reduced inner portion thereof constitutes a hub forming portion corre-' sponding indiameter to the recess portions Iii of the longitudinal recess l3. The outer end of said recess I4 is reduced in diameter at H to form a shoulder or stop Id.

In producing a T according to my invention and method I preferably employ a tubular blank l5 composed of metal of the character above described which has been partially worked by drawing so that the grain structure has a directional trend longitudinally of the blank. The blank is of such wall thickness,. .and length as will possess the mass or volume "of metal necessary to form the finished T or product. The blank I5 is then placed into the die halves l0 in offset relation to the laterally extend'ng circular opening formed by the recess. ll of the dies, and the two die halves ||l are brought together and securely clamped in any convenient manner placed in a suitable press, Pressure of the order above specified is then simultaneously applied by -means of a powerful, quick acting. press to the outer ends of the punches or male dies l1, II which closely fit the reduced portions l3 of the recess l3 and have conical inner ends entering the ends of the tube I5. Thisoperation compresses the tubular blank 1 5 lengthwise, expands the material thereof into the enlarged recesses l3, consolidates the intermediate portion I 8 of the material to form a solidmass and causes such consolidated portion III of the metal to be displaced laterally-into the recess M as illustrated at Fig. 4. In order to initially shape the displaced portion N3 of the metal mass to form a recess therein, a stop or plug l9, having .a collar Ill and a tapered inner end, is disposed within the laterally extended recess H.

The punches or male dies l1, I! are then retracted and withdrawn, and the stop or'plug l9 also removed, and a substitute stop 20- having a rounded end 20* inserted in the die parts l0, l0, and a second set of punches 2|, 2|, having cylindrical inner end 2|, 2| of reduced diameter substituted for the punches l1, H, whereupon the dies are returned to the press, and pressure applied simultaneously tothe outer ends of space between the reduced lower "end of the stop 20 and the wall of the recess 4 thereby partially forming the tubular wall of the branch of the T. v l

In the next step of the operation the stop has been removed, and-a punch 2|?! substituted as shown at Fig. 6, and the latter subjected to pressure. As the diameter of the punch 20 is larger thanthe reduced lower end of the stop 20, the punch will, when subjected to pressure, force the metal constituting the wall portion l5 of the branch further upwardly into the space between the punch and the wall of the recess I4, and at the same time reduce the thickness of said'wall portion to the extent required for the finished T. At :the conclusion of the foregoing operation a thin film or partition 3 of surplus or excess metal will remain at the base of the branch'portion Is, as shown at Fig. 6.

Hereupon the punches 2|, and the punch 2|) I are withdrawn from the dies Ill, and the film or partition 22 in the run' removed by a drill 28, as shown at Fig. 7. thereupon removed by a combined drill and reamer 29, which latter also serves, at the same time, to form the shouhier or stop upon the inner side of the tubular wall portion |5 With this operation the T is practically finished except for the trimming of the edge or end of the tubular branch l5 after .which the completely finished T will be as shown in side elevation at Fig. 10.

The finished T comprises the longitudinal member or run I5 hubs I5 and the lateral The film or partition 25 is member |5 and its hub l5 as shown at Fig. 10 I and having the physical properties and characteristics above described. It will, of course, be understood that while I have shown and described my said invention inconnection with a T and the production thereof that theinvention is not limited thereto but includes within its scope elbows, crosses, Ys, valve bodies, etc.

My resulting product has a body portion provided with a longitudinal passage therethrough, also, openings of the end portions of the body communicating respectively" with the longitudi- 10 nal passageof the body, each end opening afiording connection with an end of a pipe or the like, and further having a lateral, the opening of e which communicates with the longitudinal passage of. the body and afiording connection with an cal ' end of a pipe or the like, such body and such end portions and such lateral being each of integral 1 metal devoid of joint and integral respectively with one another. My product, as appears, is provided at each of go its body end portions and at its lateral with a mooth face of uniform diameter and determined area by a stop. each such smooth face affordg .telescoped connection with an end of a pipe or thef'like. s Lateral-provided embodiments of my product, I f asappearsfrom the T illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, have a lateral the wall'of which has a cubicalcontent exceeding the cubical content of the zone (compare 25, Fig. 8) defined at its outer 1,3 boundary by the outer periphery of the lateral and having a wall thickness equal to the wall thickness of the body. It is observed from the T shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, that the walls of the body end portions and of the lateral are re-" ,LJ spectively of uniform thickness.' Also, as illustr'atedjin Figs. 8, 9 and'lO, the'outer diameter of jeachof ,the body end portions and 'of the lateral is. larger than the outer' diameter of the body proper of the ,T.

, At; Fg) 11 I have-illustrated a series of. enlarged ,.b t n at uniformly distribut-.

ed spots near the surface of a T, produced'in ac- ,.cordance}with my method, and illustrating the generalnature of the grain formation of the -15, product. The several spots are first prepared in accordance withthe practice in metallography Wand the photo-micrographs taken thereof. The

several spotsand corresponding photo-microatzahflt lfhe grain structure ofthe product embodying my invention as shown in thephoto-micrographs is characteristicof a metal work-hardened to a gree approaching the, maximum, and the same as an orientation, or directional trend correspondingto-thedirection of working. As shown, "thegrain structures taken at spots Ml, M2 near the ends ofthelongitudinal ,runof the T show a directional trend longitudinally of said. run. The g-rain structures takenat the spots I and 2 show a a-directional trend which is more or less diagonal. 1 The grain. structure at the spot M shows a directional trend substantially at right angles to the axis of-the longitudinal run of the'T and thereof. 3

The structure at M shows a more pronounced distortion of the crystals due to the greater degree of cold working than the distorfltion'shown at l and 2, and MI and M2, respectively. ihe grain structure of the metal in the angularly related branch of the T, as shown at 3 i and M3, has-a directional trend in the same direction as the metal'at M and at substantially graphs thereof are indicated atM, Ml, M2, M3,

W -'in the direction of the angularly related portion right'a'ngles to the directional trend of the grain structure at the spots MI and M2.

While the grain structure as shown in the several photo-micrographs' varies somewhat in texture or appearance, the grain throughout has 5 a clearly defined orientation in the direction of working, and is indicative of a high degree of cold working and high tensilestrength and hardness.

The copper article embodying my said invention, as produced by the method thereof, may be manufactured in quantity at minimum cost and in various shapes and sizes, and possesses to the fullest extent the physical properties necessary to render the same highly efiicient, reliable and durable in use, and capable .of functioning in a manner far superior to articles of other metals or articles of copper fabricated in accordance with other methods and not possessing or capable of possessing the physical characteristics of the article embodying my present invention.

Having thus described my said invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. As a new article of manufacture, a lateralprovided pipe fitting of integral wrought metal predominately of copper content; provided with a body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; end portions respectively having openings for afiording connection each with an end of a pipe; said end openings communicating respectively with the longitudinal passage of the body; and a lateral having an opening communicating with the longitudinal passage of the body; said body and said end portions and said lateral being each of integral metal devoid of joint and integral respectively with one another and cold worked to final status; the lateral having a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer 4,0

periphery of the lateral and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body.

predominantly of copper content, provided with a body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; end portions respectively having openings -for afiording connection each with an end of a pipe; said end openings communicating respectively with the longitudinal passage of the body; anda lateral having an opening communicating with the longitudinal passage of the body; said-body and said end portions and lateral being each of integral metal devoidof joint and integral respectively with one another and cold worked to final status; the lateralhaving .a cubical content exceeding thecubi'cal content of the zone defined at its outer boundary 'by the outer periphery of the lateral and havinga wall thickness equal to 'that'of the body; said'end portions and said lateral each having an inner smooth face of uniform diameter for afio'rding connection with ends of a pipe.

3. As a new article of manufacture; a lateralprovided pipe fitting of integral wrought metal predominantly of copper content; provided with a body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; end' portions respectively having openings for affording connection each with anend of a pipe; said end openings communicating respectively with thelongitudinal passage of the body; and a lateral having an opening communicating with the longitudinal passage of the body; said body and said end portions and said lateral being each of integral metal devoid-of joint and integral respectively with one another and cold worked to final. status; the=lateral having a cubical content exceeding: the: cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer periphery-of thelateral and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body; said end openings and said lateral each having a smooth face of uniform diameter: and stop means associated with each said smooth face for gauging the extent of insertion of an end of a pipe.

4. As a new article. of manufacture, a lateralprovided pipe fitting of integral wrought metal predominantly of copper content; provided with a body having a longitudinal. passage therethrough; end portions respectively having openings for affording connection each with an end of a pipe; said end openings: communicating respectively with the longitudinal passage of the body; and a lateral havingan opening communicating with the longitudinal passage of the body;

said body and said end portions and said lateral being each of integral metal devoid of joint and integral respectively with one another and cold worked to final status; the lateral having a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer periphery of the lateral and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body; said end openings and said lateral each having an inner smooth face of uniform diameter; and stop means associated with each said inner smooth face for gauging the extent of insertion of an end of apipe.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a lateralprovided pipe fitting of integral wrought metal predominantly of copper content; provided with a body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; end portions respectively-having openings for affording connection each with an end of a pipe; said end openings communicating respectively with the longitudinal passage of the body; and a lateral having an opening communicating with the longitudinal passage of the body; said body and said end portions and said lateral being each of integral metal devoid of joint and integral respectively with one another and cold worked to final status; the lateral having a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its .outer boundary by the outer periphery of the lateral and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body; said end openings and said lateral each having an inner smooth face of uniform diameter; and stop means associated with each said inner smooth face for gauging the extent of insertion of an end of a pipe; the outer diameter of each end opening and of the lateral being greater than the outer diameter of the body.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a lateralprovided pipe fitting of integral wrought metal predominantly of copper content; provided with a body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; end portions respectively having openings for affording connection each with .an end of a pipe; said end openings communicating respectively with the longitudinal passage of the body; and a lateral having an opening c municating with the longitudinal passage of the body, said "body andsaid end portions-and said lateral being each of integral metal devoid of joint andintegral respectively with one another and cold worked to final status; the lateral having a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer periphery of the lateral and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body; said end openings and said lateral each having an irmer smooth face of uniform diameter; and stop means associated with each said inner smooth face for gauging the extent of insertion of an end of a pipe; the outer diameter of each end 5 opening and of thevlateral being greater than v the outer diameter of the body; the walls of said end openings and of-said lateral being respectively of uniform thickness.

7. The method of producing a lateral branch 10 tubular fitting of cold wrought metal, which comprises subjecting in cold state a hollow cylindri cal blank of metal to endwise pressure to cylindrically form the end portions of the blank and displace metal from the blank intermediate the 15 end portions as a solid mass laterally of the blank and forming such displaced metal into a lateral branch the wall of which has a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer periph- 20.

ery of the lateralbranch and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body.

8. The method of producing a lateral branch tubular fitting of cold wrough metal predominantly of copper content, which comprises sub- 25 jecting in cold state a hollow cylindrical blank of metal predominantly of copper content to endwise pressure to cylindrically form the end portions of the blank and displace metal from the blank intermediate the end portions as a solid 30 mass laterally of the blank and forming such displaced metal into a lateral branch the wall of which has a cubical content exceeding the cubical content of the zone defined at its outer boundary by the outer periphery of the lateral 35 branch and having a wall thickness equal to that of the body.

9. The method of prod'ucinga hollow metal body having a plurality of branch members extending angularly with respect to each other 40 therefrom, which comprises disposing a tubular blank of metal in cold state within a suitable die, subjecting said tubular blank longitudinally to' the action of a pair of members under pressure entering said blank at the ends and reducing the metal 45 line of the walls of said blank, displacing a portion of said metal laterally in the form of a solid mass, and subjecting said displaced solid'mass to the action of another member to form a tubular branch member.

10. The method of producing a hollow metal body having a plurality of branch members extending angularly with respect to each other therefrom which comprises disposing a tubular blank of metal in cold statewithin a suitable die, 65 subjecting said tubular blank at the ends thereof to the penetrating action of a pair of members reducing the metal line of the walls of said blank, and displacing a portion of said metal laterally in the form of a solid mass, controlling and shaping the volume of said displaced mass, and subjecting said displaced mass to pressure of an additional member to convert the same into tubular form.

11. The method of producing a hollow metal body having a plurality of branch members extending angularly with respect to each other therefrom which comprises disposing a tubular blank of metal in cold state within a suitable die, subjecting said tubular blank to pressure longitudinally and reducing the metal line of the wall of said blank and forming sockets atthe ends thereof, displacing a portion of said metal laterally in the form of a solid mass, controlling the volume of said displaced mass, and subjecting l9 said displaced mass to pressure of a mand pl to convert the same into tubular f a n'dif fr ining a socket at the end tnlfr pi {I i-'5 W t.

12. The method of toducing a hollow metal body having a plurality of branch members extending angularly with respect to each other therefrom which comprises disposing within a suitable die a tubular blank of metal in cold state having a greater wall thickness than that of the finished product to be formed therefrom, subjecting said tubular blank to pressure longitudinally and reducing the metal line of the walls of said blank and expanding the: ends thereof and forming sockets thereon, displacing a portion of said metal laterally in the form of a solid mass,

controlling the volume of said displaced mass, and subjecting said displaced mass to pressure of a mandrel to displace a portion thereof centrally to convert the same into tubular form, and'expanding the end thereof and forming a socket thereon.

13. The method of producing a hollow metal body having a plurality of branch members extending angularly with respect to each other therefrom which comprises disposing within a suitable die a tubular blank of metal in cold state.

having a greater wall thickness than that of the finished product to be formed therefrom, subjecting said tubular blank to pressure longitudinally and reducing the metal line of the walls of said blank and expanding the ends thereof and forming sockets thereon, displacing a portion of said metal laterally in the form of a solid mass, subjecting said displaced mass to pressure of a mandrel to displace a portion thereof centrally to convert the same into tubular form, and expanding the end thereof and forming a socket thereon.

14. The method of producing a hollow metal body having a plurality of branch members extending angularly with respect to each other therefrom which comprises disposing within a suitable die a tubular blank of metal in cold state having a greater wall thickness than that of the finished product to be formed therefrom, subjecting said tubular blank to pressure longitudinally and reducing the metal line of the walls of said blank and expanding the ends thereof and forming sockets thereon, displacing a portion of said metal laterally'in' the form of a solid mass, controlling the volume of said displaced mass, subjecting said displaced mass to pressure of a mandrel to displace a portion thereof centrally to convert the same into tubular form and expanding the end thereof'and forming a socket thereon, and

3 removing the surplus or excess metal-from the interioraof said hollow body.

15, The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly related "branchesfwhich .comprises disposing a tubular blank of/metal in. t cold state within an openended recessirrasuitable die, and in offset relation to a communicating angularly related recess in saiddie, subjecting said blank longitudinally to the penetrating and expanding action of a pair of members under pressure and thereby consolidating a portion-of said blank contiguous to said angularly related recess and forcing a portion of the consolidated mass into said angularly related recess subject to the recess-forming action of another member.

16. The method of producinga hollow metal body having angularly related branches which consists in disposing a tubular blank of copper in cold state within a ,suitable die, subjecting said blank longitudinally to pressure and reducing the metal line of the walls of the blank, consolidating by said pressure'the material of the blank at an subjecting the partially formed body to further reduced metal line consisting of the displaced 5 material;

17. The method of producing a hollow metal bodyhaving angularly related branches which comprises subjecting a mass of metal in cold state at the ends thereof to the action of a pair of mem- 1 1 bers to partially shape the branch contours at the ends of said mass, consolidating the remaining intermediate material at a point between said members and displacing said consolidated mass by said action laterally into engagement with a member 1:, serving to partially form a lateral branch, subjecting said partially formed branches to the action of other members acting respectively to complete the contours of the end branches, and to further shape the lateral branch, completing the 20 contour of the lateral branch by the action of a further member, and removing the materialformed within the body at the juncture of said branches.

18. The method of producing .a hollow metal 25 body having-angularly related branches which comprises disposing a tubular blank of metal in cold state within a suitable die, subjectingsaid tubular blank to pressure longitudinally, reducing the metal line of the walls of said blank and form: 3:) ing sockets at the ends thereof, consolidating the material at an intermediate point and displacing the consolidated mass laterally by said pressure, subjecting the displaced mass to an operation partially forming another branch, and subject- 35 ing said partially formed branch to further operation for completing the contour of the branch and forming a socket at the end thereof.

19. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly related. branches which 40 comprises subjecting a tubular blank in cold state while disposed within a suitable die to pressure longitudinally, reducing the metal line of the outer portions of the walls of said blank, consolidating the material of the blank at an intermediate point 45 on the line of direction of the pressure and displacing the consolidated mass laterally, subjecting the displaced mass to the action of a fixed mandrel and partially forming a lateral branch,

working and shaping the same to.approximate the ultimate contour desired, and removing the surplus material from within the body at the juncture of the branches.

20. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly-related branches which comprises taking a tubular blank of copper in cold state, subjecting said blank to pressure applied longitudinally to the ends thereof and forming hubs at the opposite ends of said blank, solidifying and consolidating the portion of said blank intermediate said ends, displacing said consolidated portion laterally in the form of a solid mass, hol-. lowing out the interior of .said laterally-displaced portion and forming an angularly-extending tubular branch, and forming a hub at the end of said tubular branch.

21. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly-related branches which comprises taking atubular blank of copper in a ,cold solid state, subjecting said blank to pressure applied longitudinally to the ends thereof and forming hubs of enlarged diameter and reduced metal line at the opposite ends of said blank, solidifying and consolidating the portion of said cold solid state, subjecting said blank to pressure applied longitudinally to the ends thereof and reducing the metal line of said ends, solidifying and consolidating the portion of the blank intermediate said ends, displacing said consolidated portion laterally in the form of a solid mass, hollowing out the interior of said laterally-displaced portion and forming an angularly-extending tubular branch having a predetermined length and metalline.

23. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly-related branches which comprises taking a tubular blank of copper in a cold solid state, subjecting said blank to pressure applied longitudinally to the ends thereof and increasing the diameter of said ends to form hubs and reducing the metal lineof said enlarged ends, solidifying and consolidating the portion of the blank intermediate said ends, displacing said consolidated portion laterally in the form of a solid mass, hollowing out said laterally-displaced portion and forming an angularlyextending tubular branch and increasing the diameter of the end of said branch.

24. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly-related branches which comprises disposing a tubular blank of copper in a cold solid statewithin a die having angularlydisposed recesses therein, subjecting said blank endwise to pressure to conform the said ends to their respective die-recesses and reducing the metal line of said ends, solidifying and consolidating the portion of the blank intermediate said ends, displacing said consolidated portion laterally in the form of a solid mass and conforming the same to its respective angularly-disposed recess in said die, and hollowing out the interior of said laterally-displaced portion to form a laterallyextending tubular branch of predetermined length and metal line.

25. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly-related branches which comprises taking a tubular blank of copper in cold state, confining the same in a suitable die, sube jecting said blank while heldin said die to pressure applied longitudinally to the ends thereof and reducing the metal line of the ends of said. tubular blank, solidifying and consolidating the portion of the blank intermediate said ends, displacing said consolidated portion laterally in the form of a solid. mass, and hollowing out said laterally-displaced portion to form a laterally-extending branch of predetermined length and metal line. Y

26. The method of producing a hollow metal body having angularly-relaled branches which comprises confining a tubular blank in cold state in a die having angularly-disposed recesses therein, subjecting said blank to pressure acting radially and axially of said blank and progressively from the ends to an intermediate point thereof and reducing the metal line of said blank, forcing the metal in part from the inner sides of said blank. and consolidating the same in the form .01 a solid mass internally of the blank at said intermediate point. and then moving said consolidated mass together with a lateral portion of said blank adjacent said mass outwardly of the blank and converting the same into an angularly-extending tubular branch.

2'7. A coupling branches formed integrally from a mass of copper by cold plastic deformation; the metal in each branch of said coupling presenting a. grain structure having an orientation in the direction of working.

28. A coupling including a body portion and an angularly related portion formed integrally with each other from a mass of copper; said metal having physical proper ties characteristic of a high degree of cold working and including a grain structure having a directional trend extending longitudinally of said body portion and of said angularly related portion in the line of direction of the working.

29. A coupling of the character described inintegrally from a mass of copper by cold plastic deformation; the metal of said coupling presenting a structure having the grains thereof elongated in the direction of the axes of the several angularly-related, tubular portions.

'30. A coupling of the character described including angularly-related branches formed integrally from a tubular mass of copper by cold plastic deformation; the metal of said coupling presenting a structure having the grains thereof elongated and disposed with their longer axes parallel with the axes of the several tubular branches.

31. A coupling of the character described com prising a tubular body portion, and at least one angularly-related tubular portion extending therefrom, and socket portions of enlarged diameter at the ends of said body portion and said angularly-related portion all formed integrally including angularly related 

